Canadian by birth, Southern (Ontario) by the Grace of God.- yeah it's a Lynyrd Skynyrd reference

Saturday, July 22, 2006

1984 vs 2006

GP W L Pct GB Home Away

Detroit 96 65 31 .677 - 32-16 33-15

Chicago WSox 95 58 37 .611 6.5 33-15 25-22

Minnesota 95 55 40 .579 9.5 37-11 18-29

Cleveland 95 42 53 .442 22.5 23-24 19-29

Kansas City 96 34 62 .354 31.0 21-23 13-39

Much of the talk regarding the beloved Tigers has to do with comparisons. Comparing this team with the great 1984 World Champions. I heard on the radio yesterday that at 95 games the '84 Tigers were 66-29. As compared with the 64-31 2006 team. While the '84 team was great I think this year's team may be their equal.

Consider this, while we all know in 1984, the Tigers were 35-5 after 40 games, the best record for 40 for all time. This year the Tigers were 27-13 after 40, good but not as good. However, here is where it gets interesting. If the above statistics are true and as we know statistics never lie, especially when they concern baseball, the '84 Tigers were 31-24 for the next 55 games. This year the Tigers have gone 37-18. If you want further comparisons, the next 55, the '84 Tigers were playing at a .563 clip, while this year's Tigers are playing at a .672 clip. This means among other things, the Tigers have been playing at a consistent pace over the season so far, while the 1984 Tigers had an incredible start and then coasted through the season. In 1984 it was .875 for the first 40, in 2006 it was .675.

This is not to take anything away from the 1984 Tigers, they were a team for the ages and had some great players, but let's also enjoy the 2006 Tigers. Will they win the World Series, that's still too far in the future to consider. However they are a consistent team that is beginning to take every challenge and prove their mettle. To give an example, when they lost 7-1 on Tuesday, there was some concern being expressed by Tigerfan. But what does the team do? Wednesday, come from behind win. Thursday a pitching duel and another win.

I remember watching the '84 Tigers, they were great. I truly believe 2006 will be a great year and perhaps even better because this is a team that is removing the bad taste of a lot of bad seasons from the mouth of us fans.

Sunday, July 09, 2006

A fan's comment on Doomsday

Thank you Rose Tyler

This blog will contain spoilers. Quite a number of them.

The final episode of this season of Dr. Who was entitled "Doomsday". In it we have the Earth being invaded by its two greatest enemies, and the two enemies of the Doctor, the Daleks and the Cybermen. A breach between two universes takes place and at first Earth is totally unaware, thinking it to be a good thing, thank you Torchwood. However it is a bad thing and the Earth is in mortal danger. It is only the work of the Doctor, Mickey, Rose, Pete Tyler and Jackie Tyler to save both worlds. They do, however Rose is transported to the other Earth, where she must stay.

This episode marks the final appearance of Rose Tyler as a companion of the Doctor. She ends having saved both planets. What else do we expect from a companion of the Doctor?

I want to say thank you to Billie Piper for her role in the revival of Doctor Who. She was a tremendous companion, one who broke the mould and set the path for other companions to follow. No longer would the companion be simply the straight person or being the classic damsel in distress. Rose was the Doctor's equal in many ways. She took charge and revealed a strength that was truly amazing. Billie Piper made this character come alive and for that we are thankful.

One other thing about Rose, only Rose could elicit an emotional response from the Doctor. She was amazing.

So thank you Billie, thank you for making Rose come alive and for being a part of the two finest seasons in the long history of Doctor Who.One more thing, 170 days until the Christmas Doctor Who Special, which will be entitled The Runaway Bride.

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

My Time in Jail

A couple of weeks ago I was apprehended and incarcerated for crimes against people. I was working in my office when a member of some local constabulary, Wonder Woman and some guy with a camera stormed in and put the cuffs on me. I was dragged off, with two others to face the court system on what must be considered trumped up charges. In one respect, I was fortunately since all the charges; hiding Mad Magazine in the Old Testament, listening to AM800 and wasting my youth with Rock and Roll, and riding my bike were dropped but I was found guilty of not wearing my cap. The bail was set for $1150 and I was tossed in the jail.

Now before you begin to wonder, this was all part of the local Crime Stoppers Bail or Jail program. It was a fundraiser for Crime Stoppers. The idea was I was tossed in, given a cell phone and a phone book and would call as many people as possible in order to raise the money. I called family, friends and anyone else I could think of. The response was shock, laughter and demands for dinner as payback. It was quite an experience and ultimately a lot of fun.